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Tag: Sandip Soparrkar

  • Thomas Cook India partners Gen s Life to expand senior travel portfolio

    Thomas Cook India partners Gen s Life to expand senior travel portfolio

    MUMBAI: As India’s silver economy shines brighter, Thomas Cook (India) Limited is strengthening its focus on the growing community of senior travellers. The company is expanding its senior travel segment through product innovation and strategic tie-ups, recognising the increasing aspirations of India’s 55 plus population.

    According to the Pwc-Asli senior care report 2024 and Unfpa 2023, India’s senior population (aged 60 and above) is projected to reach 347 million by 2050, accounting for 21 per cent of the total population. With higher disposable incomes and more leisure time, this demographic is emerging as a powerful travel segment that values comfort, safety and meaningful experiences.

    To engage this audience, Thomas Cook India has partnered with Gen s Life, a leading lifestyle and community platform for the 55 plus demographic. As part of the collaboration, the two brands will host a free educational webinar titled “Making pilgrimage travel easy & enjoyable for 55 plus” on 29 October at 11 am on Zoom.

    The session will feature choreographer and traveller Sandip Soparrkar, along with Thomas Cook’s expert tour managers, sharing travel insights, health guidance and destination tips tailored for senior travellers. Attendees will also gain exclusive access to customised pilgrimage packages and special senior group offers.

    Drawing from its extensive spiritual circuits across India and the subcontinent including Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Bodh Gaya, Pokhara, Tirupati and Rameswaram, Thomas Cook India aims to make pilgrimages more comfortable and enriching. Features include guided tours, vip darshans, AC transfers, and aerial Char Dham helicopter journeys that complete the pilgrimage in four days, reducing fatigue compared to traditional road trips.

    The brand’s ‘Pilgrimage plus’ portfolio reimagines spiritual travel as a holistic experience, blending darshans with cultural immersion, from sunset views on the Ganges to local culinary trails and artisan village visits.

    In addition, Thomas Cook India is set to launch specialised group tours for seniors to international destinations, offering elder-friendly hotels, porterage, curated meals, entertainment evenings and easy-access transport.

    “In India, the silver economy is expanding rapidly with rising longevity, digital inclusion and higher discretionary income,” said Thomas Cook (India) Limited MICE, Visa president & country head, holidays Rajeev Kale. “Seniors today are confident and eager to explore. Our partnership with Gen S Life combines our travel expertise with their understanding of senior lifestyles to create inclusive and empowering experiences.”

    Gen s Life founder Meenakshi Menon added, “For many seniors, a pilgrimage is deeply personal, but logistics can be a deterrent. This partnership brings together safety, convenience and community, enabling seniors to travel with confidence.”

    With over 40,000 app downloads and 15,000 plus registered users, Gen s Life provides curated services for the 55 plus community, covering health, finance, wellness, safety and travel. The collaboration with Thomas Cook aims to ensure that India’s senior travellers continue to explore the world, comfortably, confidently, and with a sense of connection.
     

  • MIIFF to be held in January, launches logo

    MIIFF to be held in January, launches logo

    Mumbai: The first Mumbaindia International Film Festival (MIIFF) will be held in January 2023. There will be six sections from world cinema to Marathi cinema.

    The founders of Mumbaindia International Film Festival (MIIFF), Sharon Prabhakar, Sudhir Attavar, Trivikram Belthangady, Sandip Soparrkar and Chaitali Chatterjee launched the spectacular logo of this unique film festival. In a grand event held at the Cinepolis in Mumbai, its founders revealed many interesting things about the film festival. Veteran actor Om Puri’s wife Nandita Puri and actress Shazahn Padamsee were also present at the event.

    Sharon Prabhakar said, “People might say that there are many film festivals, so what is the need to do this, but I do not think about it. You should try your best to fulfill your dream. I go against the routine work, and this is one such festival which will be different, unique and exciting. We women are multi-taskers.”

    Sudhir Attavar said, “We have kept 6 sections in this film festival. The first category is of world cinema, the second category is of the LGBTQIA community and another category is of women filmmakers. There is a category for a film institute. The fifth category will be for ad films and the sixth category will be for Marathi cinema. There will also be a section for dance and music based films. The first MIIFF will be held in Mumbai in January 2023. Registration for it will start from July 2022.

    The founder of the film festival Sudhir Attavar said, “The festival is not being done to earn money. There will be neither politics nor commercial angle in this meaningful festival.”

    Dancer-choreographer Sandip Soparkar said, “I express my sincere gratitude for making me a part of this festival. When I came to Mumbai 22 years ago, the next day I went to visit the temple of Mumba Devi and I told her that this city has been named after you, when will such a day come when I will be able to associate with your name. And today after 22 years I am very happy to be associated with Mumba India International Film Festival. We will promote culture through cinema.”

    Trivikram Belthangady said, “When Sudhir ji and Sharon asked me to join this festival, I immediately agreed, because it is filled with creative energy. Through this festival, the audience will get to see meaningful cinema. Doors will also be opened for new filmmakers. I am very excited about this journey.”

    Chaitali Chatterjee also expressed her heartfelt thanks.

    Ompuri’s wife Nandita Puri said, “My heartfelt congratulations to the entire team for organizing this festival. Sharon is my great friend, I am also her fan, she is my favorite and an amazing woman. I have seen issues behind film festivals, we will keep Mumba India International Film Festival away from politics or lobbying.”

    Shazahn Padamsee, who has acted in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films, said, “Everyone has worked hard for this festival. My mom Sharon has given her heart and soul to this festival.”

    Krishna Bhardwaj, Ratna Pratap and Vidyadhar Shetty also extended their best wishes here. Vidyadhar Shetty of Success Films organized the event.

    Sharon Prabhakar added, “People are passionate about filmmaking and some have even sold their houses to make a good film. This festival is for such passionate makers. We will try to do something better, new and different through this.”

  • Sandip Soparrkar on Red Carpet at Nice International Film Festival 2016

    Sandip Soparrkar on Red Carpet at Nice International Film Festival 2016

    NEW DEHI: World renowned Indian Choreographer Sandip Soparrkar was the only dancer actor who was invited to walk the Red Carpet and to give away the final grand Prize of “Best film” at the Nice International film festival recently.

    The festival helps filmmakers find a market to support their aims. Many accomplished people who can give advice to work with established film industry professionals attend this ceremony and screening of films. A large number of meetings, networking, screening and deals take place at world famous Nice International film festival. Each year the festival is held on the French Riviera in the beautiful and splendid city of Nice.

    Dressed in Indian attire, the dancer choreographer presented the finale award of “Best Film” to American producer Gabriel Schmidt for his film Hamlet’s Ghost, directed by Walker Haynes.

    He was seen wearing More Mischief and Deepak Shah designed pure white self-printed Shervani with dull gold traditional buttons. To add a dash of colour and glamour to the outfit his stylist Pooja Shah Bhandari teamed the look with a blood red rose just like the style of first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

    Welcoming Soparrkar to the award ceremony, Festival President Carl Tooney said, “Sandip has now for several years, given up his time to encourage new talented filmmakers. He took time out of his busy schedule to support the Indy filmmakers at our film festival as they are just starting out- it is important that they get this support to continue their journey”

    Speaking on the occasion, Soparrkar said, “I feel humbled to be the Guest of Honour at this wonderful film festival, where filmmakers come together as one family and not as competitors. This one of its kind festival is actually a home, where one can see the world cinema lovers unite together and cheer for one another.”

  • Sandip Soparrkar on Red Carpet at Nice International Film Festival 2016

    Sandip Soparrkar on Red Carpet at Nice International Film Festival 2016

    NEW DEHI: World renowned Indian Choreographer Sandip Soparrkar was the only dancer actor who was invited to walk the Red Carpet and to give away the final grand Prize of “Best film” at the Nice International film festival recently.

    The festival helps filmmakers find a market to support their aims. Many accomplished people who can give advice to work with established film industry professionals attend this ceremony and screening of films. A large number of meetings, networking, screening and deals take place at world famous Nice International film festival. Each year the festival is held on the French Riviera in the beautiful and splendid city of Nice.

    Dressed in Indian attire, the dancer choreographer presented the finale award of “Best Film” to American producer Gabriel Schmidt for his film Hamlet’s Ghost, directed by Walker Haynes.

    He was seen wearing More Mischief and Deepak Shah designed pure white self-printed Shervani with dull gold traditional buttons. To add a dash of colour and glamour to the outfit his stylist Pooja Shah Bhandari teamed the look with a blood red rose just like the style of first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

    Welcoming Soparrkar to the award ceremony, Festival President Carl Tooney said, “Sandip has now for several years, given up his time to encourage new talented filmmakers. He took time out of his busy schedule to support the Indy filmmakers at our film festival as they are just starting out- it is important that they get this support to continue their journey”

    Speaking on the occasion, Soparrkar said, “I feel humbled to be the Guest of Honour at this wonderful film festival, where filmmakers come together as one family and not as competitors. This one of its kind festival is actually a home, where one can see the world cinema lovers unite together and cheer for one another.”

  • Sandip Soparrkar named Cube sport brand ambassador in India

    Sandip Soparrkar named Cube sport brand ambassador in India

    NEW DELHI: Bollywood’s internationally renowned choreographer Sandip Soparrkar is the new brand ambassador for Speed Cubing Mumbai Unlimited (SCMU).

     

    The aim is to bring Bollywood and sports – two of the most loved fields – come closer for the promotion of Cube sport. 

     

    Soparrkar, who was recently seen doing a photoshoot with various cubes, said, “I am having a great time. I feel honoured that SCMU asked me to represent them as their brand ambassador. Cubing is a fantastic sport, which sharpens not just the mind but even develops the motor movements in a person. It is an amazing sport for kids as well as adults and I am glad that I have been chosen as the face of the brand.”

     

    The photoshoot will convey that the cube is just not a toy but a complete sport in itself. Cube is not just a hobby for kids but can be helpful for working professionals too to tackle everyday challenges in life and is a great stress buster.

     

    SCMU head Girish Bhatia added, “We are proud to announce our association with Bollywood’s ace choreographer Sandip Soparrkar as our brand ambassador. He got addicted to speed cubing through his cuber son Arjun who shares a similar passion and wants to take speed cubing to a greater level.”

     

    SCMU is a group of speed cubers from Mumbai formed in 2011 by Akshay Rao who later left the group to pursue higher studies. Since then, the organisation has actively promoted Rubiks Cube as a sport and not as a hobby. 

     

    The group currently headed by Bhatia has about thirty active members who are collectively referred to as Team SCMU. Since 2011, the team organized and supported over 40 cube competitions, and is the only organization in India to promote speedcubing at a professional level. 

     

    Their competition in January 2015 was Asia’s largest competition and world’s eighth largest. Their June 2015 competition was held in Juhu, which turned out to be the world’s largest single day event. 

     

    In 2013, the Team made a Rubik cube mosaic of Sachin Tendulkar, which gave them entry into the Limca book of Records for Rubik’s cube for a mosaic made with 6240 cubes. 

     

    Their next competition – SCMU Freedom open 2015 – will be held on 15 and 16 August at Phoenix Market City, Kurla, Mumbai. It’s an International competition associated with World Cube Association (WCA), where India’s best talents would compete against time to solve the most challenging Rubik’s cube in a matter of few seconds.

  • Jackie Shroff, Sandip Soparrkar honoured at Navi Mumbai International Film Fest

    Jackie Shroff, Sandip Soparrkar honoured at Navi Mumbai International Film Fest

    NEW DELHI: Senior Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff and choreographer cum ballroom dancer Sandip Soparrkar received special honours at the Navi Mumbai International Film Festival (NMIFF) 2015 for their contribution in cinema. 

     

    The Festival showcased more than 400 films from over countries in its second edition.

     

    Soparrkar was especially honoured for his fantastic work in Hollywood and Bollywood films. “Sandip is a maestro in various forms of dance and has done immense work in spreading the dance culture across the country and the world. Many film stars from Bollywood and Hollywood have been trained by him and the young aspirants and artistes are learning from his great experience,” said Festival founder and chairman Sachin Khanna.

     

    Soparrkar has choreographed for several films including 7 Khoon Maaf, Mangal Pandey and Kites, and has popularised Bollywood dance on the international platform, apart from choreographing for icons like Britney Spears and Madonna. Through this art, he has also raised funds for various causes world over.

     

    Soparrkar said, “I feel humbled to be receiving this honour in front of so many film lovers from all over the world.”

     

    The NMIFF was founded with the idea to showcase the talent and creativity of filmmakers from all over the world in Navi Mumbai.